Hope Leads to Patience

What is it that drives you to continue fighting? Whether it be at work, school or even the playground, something inside of you keeps you going. The more you think about the reward, the more you are willing to endure, and to keep going. The more patience you have.

Brethren, we know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8.22-27

Today’s reading from Saint Paul reminds me of growing up imagining Christmas morning. We sat day by day patiently waiting for what we hoped would be under the Christmas Tree. We even behaved differently to show our parents we could be better. It was hope that kept us going.

Obviously, salvation is much more than a gift under the Christmas Tree, but hope is hope. We hope for something we desire. If we already knew what was under the Tree, it would be just another day, and our lives wouldn’t ever change. It was hope that changed us for the better.

I don’t know about you, but I hope for eternal comfort with God. I can’t guarantee it, since I am not God, but I hope for it every day. It is what keeps me going when faced with temptation and sin. It is what sends me to confession when I fall. It is hope that helps me focus on God.

For those who think salvation is a ‘done deal’ and that we are ‘once saved, always saved’, there is no hope. This is what Saint Paul wants us to understand. Remember, Saint Paul also warns us that we could be ‘cut off’ from the vine at any time. (see Romans 11)

Salvation is not a guarantee. Otherwise, there would be no hope for the future because there would be nothing to keep us focused. It is God’s promise for something better. There is a difference between His promise and salvation. For some, His promise is misunderstood.

In every instance where Christ teaches about heaven, it is the one who ‘didn’t get it’ that were in hell. It was the ones who thought they were ‘in’ that found themselves outside of paradise. Think of the older brother of the Prodigal Son. He was the ‘good one’ that was in hell.

I remind you of this today not to frighten you, but to invite you to hope in Christ. Allow your hope for a better future life with God in heaven to shape your choices and behavior today. All your hope for salvation to inspire you to repentance rather than sitting back thinking you’re ‘in’.

None of are certain of our future. None of us are guaranteed salvation by God. All of us are promised God’s love. All of us are invited to hope for grace. Be patient, and God will be with you. Be patient, and change your behavior to show God you love Him more than anything.

Salvation isn’t some present under the Christmas Tree, but it is something to hope for. If only our behavior today was like those days before Christmas. Here’s to hope!